Automobile supply tank and holder



S. JOHNSON Feb. 5, 1929. E

AUTOMOBILE SUPPLY TANK AND HOLDER 5 Shets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct 15, 1924 Feb. 5, 1929. Re. 17,204

AUTOMOBILE SUPPLY TANK AND HOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 15, 1924 29' so 2/ A? A 4 2a v c 6 22 T*: /7 W fizzzezziaz X91722! 'rzzesi 151- Jxzzsozz E. S. JOHNSON OBILE SUPPLY TANK AND HOLDER 3 Sheets-Shed 3 original Filed Oct 15 1924 iforzzys n J n J 4/0 M M y f Reissued Feb. 5, 1929. 1

UNITED STATES" ERNEST s. :ronnsoiv, 0F wnnsrnn' cla IOWA.

AUTOMOBILE SUPPLY TANK Ann HOLDER.

Original No. 1,613,111, dated The'objectof my invention is to provide supply tanks adapted to be supported upon a running board of an automobile, arranged to coactwith each other, whereby a singlelocle ingmeausmaybe employed for-holding all of the'tanks or canteensin'locked position.

Still a further object is to provide a supporting rack or frame fixed to a. running board of an automobile for retaining articles to be carried, the frame having parts adapted to coact with the two ends of the articles,

whereby the same may be locked against removal from theframe andxareretained there- 1n. p

Still a further'obj ect' is to providecoacting grooves and ribs on the adjacent surfaces of I the several canteens whereby the ribs may be received in the grooves for locking all of. the canteens against removal when brought in position to enact with the supporting rack'or frame. I

Still a further object is to provide a movable plate or disk member on one end of the framearranged to coact with'one ofv the end canteens for looking all of thecanteens to gethenthe movable disk member being controlled by a movable handle which may be I 'padlocked to a fixed-portion of the supporting frame. Still a further object is to'provide the fastenings of the rack or frame to the automobile I running board in such a manner that when the articlesare within the frame it will beimpossible to remove the. fastenings without first removing the articles.

With these and other objects in view; my

invention consists in. the construction, 'a'rrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth,pointed out in my claims, and j illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in v which:

Figure 1 1s aside elevation of a portlon of an automobile with my improved canteen supply and frame therefor shown thereon.

Figure 2 "is a top, planview of, the pl canteens and fram 1 1 j j Figure 3 is a central; vertical, sectional view taken on l1ne3-3 of Figure 2 show-mg the coacting grooves and ribs on the. frame and the canteens themselves.

Figure ,4 1s a-sect1onal view, taken :online January 4, 1927, Serial No. 743,705, filed October 15, 1924. Application for reissue filed April 8, 1927. Serial Ne. 182,142.

l4 of Figure 1 showing thelocki ng handle on the frame. 1

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on't'he' line 5-5 ofFigure 1. Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 1 with a slightly modified form of fastening for securing the frame to the running board. 1 I Figure 7 is a detail, sectionalview through 1 portions of two adjacent canteens showing the coacting rib and groove on the adjacent surfaces of the canteens.

Figure 8 is a detail, sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 1, showing the padlock in position for connecting the handle and the frame together. Figure 9 shows an end View of a'slightly modified form in which my invention may be embodied. j i

Figure 10 is a vertical, sectional view taken on the line 1010 of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another form of canteen. i In theaccompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally an automobile, which is provided with a run-' ning board 11 and a door 12 for: gaining access into the automobile itself.

My improved device is positioned for insecuring my canteens includes a flat bottom plate 13 having its ends upturned so as to provide end walls 14 and 15. r

A horizontally disposed rectangular frame supporting frame near the upper ends therewelding or the like.

of in any suitable manner such as'by spot The frame 1 6 on its end adjacent the end wall 15 is provided with: a reinforcing bar 17, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The bottom plate 13may be secured to the runningboard 11 by suitablescrews l8or may be fastened thereto by a U-shaped clamp-l9 having a locking screw 20 thereon arranged to extend around the outer edge of the running board and to be locked against the underside thereof, as clearly shown in FigureG of the drawings.

90 16 is secured to the end walls 14 and 15 of the l 1 When the fastening, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, is used, it is possible to remove the entire device by simply loosening the locking screw 20.

Where the screws 18 are used, there is provided a structure which is more permanently secured to the running board and which is not containing any liquid such as water, oil and gasoline. The canteens A, B and C may be colored diiferentiy so as to clearly indicate the contents thereof; for example, the canteen to contain gasoline may be painted red; the canteen to contain water be painted gray; and the canteen to .contain oil may be painted green.

The canteens, A, B and C may be circular in vertical, transverse cross section, or may be substantially rectangular as shown in Figure 9, or may have vertical side walls, rounded tops and flat bottoms, as illustrated in Figure 11, or may have any contour or shape adaptable for the purpose. Articles such as canteens or other containers are retained within the frame16 as will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

On each canteen are fixed supporting hooks 22, which engage the sides of the rectangular frame 16, as illustrated in Figure 5 for supporting each of the canteens just above the bottom plate 13. The supporting hooks are used for canteens or other light containers although, heavy articles such as trunks may be placed upon the bottom plate 13 and within the frame 16.

By providing the supporting hooks 22 and locking the canteens together, as will be hereinafter more fully described. I am able to hold the canteens against rattling and undue vibration, thereby preventing their wearing out by engagement with parts of the frame or with each other.

Each of the canteens A,B and C is provided with a short neck 23, which is screw threaded for receiving a closure cap 24. The cap 24 may have fixed to it a short bar or handle 25 whereby it may be easily gripped for removing the cap 24 from the neck 23. Each of the canteens A, B and C is also provided with a handle 26.

Each canteen is formed with tWo end walls 27 and 28. The wall 27 is formed with an annular groove 29 and the wall 28 is formed with an annular outpressed rib 30.

The rib 30 on the wall 28 is designed to coact with the groove 29 in the wall 27 of the adjacent canteen, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 7 of the drawings.

The end Wall 14 is formed with a rib 31, which coacts with a portion of the groove 29 formed in the wall 27 of the canteen placed adjacent the end wall 14.

Formed in the reinforcing bar 17, the frame 16, and the end wall 15, is a screw-threaded. opening 32, which has received therein a screw-threaded rod 33.

The rod 33 has its inner end contracted as at 34.

Rotatably mounted upon the contracted end 34 of the rod 33 is a disc or plate 35 or its equivalent, designed to fit against the end wall of one of the canteens or article placed within the frace 16.

The disc or plate 35 is formed with an outpressed part 36 for, permitting washers 37' to be positioned on each side thereof and around the contracted end 34, and the free end of the contracted portion 34 may be fiattened for retaining the disc 35 and washers 37 thereon. The disc 35 may be free to rotate relative to the rod 33.

Theout-pressed portion provides a sufficient space for receiving one of the washers 37 and the flattened end of the contracted portion 34 without striking against the wall of the adjacent canteen.

Secured to the outer end of the screw-' threaded rod 33 is a handle 38 mounted upon the pivot pin 39.

The handle 38 is capable of swinging movement upon the pivot pin 39 and is subv stantially channel-shaped in cross section.

By engaging the handle 38, I am able to rotate the rod 33 in the screw-threaded opening 32.

The reinforcing bar 17 adds to the length of the opening 32 thereby affording a suiii cient screw-threaded support and bearing for the rod 33.

The disc or plate 35 near its periphery is formed with a groove 40, which is substantially like the groove 29 in the wall 27 ot' the canteens, and is designed to coact with the rib 30 on the wall 28 of the canteen adjacent thereto, as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

By rotating the handle 38, it will cause the disc 35 to be moved against the wall 28 of the adjacent canteen thereby causing all of the canteens to be locked together and wit-h the frame itself for preventing the removal of any of them without first loosening the disc 35. The canteens or other articles are thus held within the frame 16.

A lug or bracket 41, secured to the end wall 15 in any suitable manner, has an opening 42 therein. The handle 38 may be swung upon its pivot for bringing it to position where its two sides will receive the lug 41 therebetween.

The handle 38 is formed in each of its sides with openings 43 (Figure 8), which register with the opening 42 for permitting a pad- I them togetherwill at all times be the same.

lock 44 tobe: extended therethrough for tpre-c venting. the unauthorizedremoval of any of thearticles from the frame. l There is a suflicient amount of :play or movement; allowed: for the disc 35, to, permit the canteens toybe disengagedfrom each other and th-u'spermit them to be withdrawn from the frame. I a v w v t From the foregoing, it willbe seen that the canteens themselves coact with each other and that the two end canteens coactwith the a frame on one end and witha disc or plate mounted on the frame on the-other end.

I Any suitable number i of canteens may be employed andthe'lockingjmeans for holding ltis only necessary ,that the'canteens be inserted in such position that the end walls adjacent the end wallframel t and the disc 35 -will coactwith the grooves-and ribs or equivalent, coacting engaging means inor on theywalls of the canteens.

. It maybe here mentioned that the rectangular frame 16 adjacent thexendwall 14 is preferably slightly inclined so that the end can-w teen A isnot'only engagedbythe end wall 1d of the frame but also by the frame 16 at points The canteens can betightly locked together so as to prevent any possible vibration or movement thereof, thus giving me a structure that will not make any noise or rattle and.

will not be destroyed by parts rubbing constantly against each other.

i For example, if it is desired to remove the canteen Blwithout removingeither of the other canteens, all that is necessary is to loosen the disc 35 and then shift the canteen C as 7 faras possible, which will permit the canteen B to he slid toward it a slight distance, thus clearing the grooves andribs of the canteen Bfrom' the canteensA and C and permitting its removal from the supporting frame, as

shown in dottedlines in Figure 2 of the drawi A I a In Flgures 9 and 10, I have shown a different' form of fastening device, to illustrate an equivalent form to that heretofore described and as suggestive of various fasteners that might be used.

' Slidably extended through the members 15,

16 and 17 is a'rod 50 having at its ends, heads or the like 51. Adj acentto the inner head 51,

the rod 50 has a reduced portion 52 on which the disc or plate 35 is mounted. A handle 54:

generally similar in construction to the han die 38, is provided with a cam 55 to coact with the rod 50 for locking the canteens against removal.

The locklng device that retains the articles within the frame 16is mounted upon one end thereof so that the tightening of the articles within the frame is caused by anendwise ad justment.

I have found that my device in actual practice has proven very efiicient for supporting canteens with liquidtherein and that the frame and locking structure whereinthe canteens coact with each other and with the frame is important in giving me a structure; that will not be sub ected to becoming loose" equivalent fastening means are employed,

they are inaccessible until after the canteens or thelike are taken out, and an additional security against theft is thus provided.

I have thus provided a supply tank and holder structure including a fixed frameor the like and aplurality of canteens of very simple and inexpensive construction having a number of importantadvantages.

The frame, if secured tothe running board under the; article held thereby, has its fas tening means protected against being tampered with; The framehasparts whereby the articles may be easily locked Within the frame and held against removal.

The canteens and of a variety of materials and in various shapes.

v Changes may .be made in the details of structure and arrangement of parts, Without avoiding the my purpose to cover by my clalms any such changes or modifications as may be w thin the real scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A supply canteen structure including canteens, a horizontally disposed supporting frame, lugs on said canteens for supporting them'on the frame whereby the canteens are capable of means; on the adjacent Walls of the canteens for coacting with each other for preventing their removal from the frame when placed against each other. i

2. A supply canteen structure including canteens, a horizontally disposed supporting frame encircling thecanteens, lugs on said canteens for sup-porting them on theframe and positioning them. vertically thereon,sai"d lugs being capable of longitudinally sliding movement on saidframe, means on the adjacent walls ofthe canteens for coacting with each other for preventing their removal from the frame when placed against each other,

real invention involved, and it is the; frame may be made I sliding movement therealong,

and means onthe frame for coacting with the canteens; Y

3. A supply canteen structure including a supporting frame, canteens, said frame encircling said canteens, means on said canteens for supporting them on said frame and movable means on said frame forforcing all. of i the canteens towards each other, said canteens havmg coactlng parts for preventing their withdrawal from the frame after said movable means has been operated.

4. A supply canteen structure including a supporting frame rectangular in form, can teens, means on said canteens for supporting them on said frame whereby they are longitudinally movable therealong, and movable means on said frame for forcing all of the canteens towards each other and towards one end of the frame.

5. A supply canteen structure including a supporting frame, canteens, said frame encircling said canteens, means on said canteens for supporting them on said frame and movable means Onsaid frame for forcing all of the canteens towards each other and towards one end of the frame, said canteens having coacting parts for preventing their withdrawal from the frame after said movable means has been operated.

6. A supply canteen structure including'a base, a supportingframe on said base, canteens, means on said canteens for supporting them on and within the outline of said frameand movable means for forcing all of said can teens towards each other and towards one end of said frame, fixed means for engaging an end canteen on said frame, and said canon the frame manually operated for forcing the canteens into position where the grooves and ribs will coact for preventing the withdrawal of any canteen.

8. A supply canteen structure including a rectangular supporting frame, canteens supported on andwithin the outline of said frame having grooves andribs in their opposite sides for coacting with the grooves and ribs in the adjacent canteens, means on the frame to coact with one of the canteens and a plate having parts thereon to coact with the canteen J adjacent thereto whereby movement of the plate toward the canteens will retain them in locked position within said frame. 7

Des Moines, Iowa, April 5, 1927.

ERNEST s. JOHNSON, 

